Folding combination golf bag and caddy cart



June 3, 1953 E. F. CHAMBLESS 2,837,346

FOLDING COMBINATION GOLF BAG AND CADDY CART 5 Sheets-Sheet 1,

Filed Dec. 23, 1955 f mmvron. I Ersyl f: Chamblessl fliiys.

FOLDING COMBINATION GOLF BAG AND CADDY CART Filed Dec. 23, 1955 June 3, 1958 E. F. CHAMBLESS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Ersyl f: Chambless BY fliiy s.

E. \E'. CHAMBLESS FOLDING COMBINATION GOLF BAG AND CADDY CART Filed Dec. 23, 1955 June 3, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3v uvvuvrox Ersyl K Chambless BY @kfi /gga United States Patentfi FOLDING COMBINATION GOLF BAG AND CADDY CART Ersyl F. Chambless, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 23, 1955, Serial No. 555,131

12 Claims. (Cl. 280-67) This inventionrelates to a golf equipment carrier; to a combination convertible golf equipment bag and cart; and more particularly to an integral golf bag of conventional size and shape, foldable in construction, and having ground engaging wheels positionable for use when the bag is unfolded to transport the same around a golf course and collapsible into the bag to form the usual compact golf bag structure.

For many years golfers and caddies have carried clubs and golf equipment in bags having handles and shoulder straps provided for such purpose. In more recent years, however, due to such factors as the increase in equipment carried by the average golfer, the increased popularity of golf, together with the limited number of caddies available, and changing economic conditions, there has been an increasing trend towards using some form of cart to transport the equipment around a golf course. These carts generally are in the form of a separate two-wheel device to which conventional bags are strapped, or the carts are provided with tubes or other receptacles for receiving club shafts. Both constructions are further provided with some form of handle for pushing or pulling the cart over the golf course terrain.

A review of the known forms of golf carts reveals that they all fail to take fully into consideration those factors which surround the uses thereof. Actually, the bags and carts are used only a short time, while the remainder of the time they are either transported by the golfer in his car going to and from the golf course, or they are being stored in such places as the trunk compartment of the car, a locker, or closet. One of the greatest difficulties inherent in known carts and combination bags-carts is that they are awkward to transport and store. This awkwardness is caused by the over-all increase in size of the known golf cart devices in order to provide for some form of running gear, whether retractable or not. Those in which the wheels are not collapsible, of course, are even more cumbersome to store or carry, while those having retractable or detachable gear are bulky, with material increases in size, to accommodate the gear. Those devices having detachable gear further stand the chance of having component parts either lost or misplaced. And, none of the known devices, whether they are carts to carry separate bags or combination bag-carts, give the desired appearance of a conventional golf club bag.

Where a separate cart is provided, not only is additional space required to hold both the cart and bag, but it also entails the additional expense of paying for two pieces of equipment. Rental of a cart at the golf course obviously also only adds to the expense of the sport,

Thus it is seen that the known golf cart devices fall far short of fulfilling the needs of the golfer. Their inherent cost, bulkiness, inefiiciencies of their working gear, and ungainly appearance, leave much to be desired.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a golf equipment carrier which overcomes the fore- "ice going and other defects found in known devices supplied for similar purposes.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved integral golf equipment carrier having ground engaging wheels for rolling the carrier and equipment thereinover a golf course, the wheels being collapsible into the carrier, and the carrier being foldable to a condition of maximum compactness wherein its shape, size and appearance are substantially that of a conventional golf club bag.

A feature of this invention is the provision of an integral wheeled golf club bag which, in addition to presenting a pleasing appearance, has no part protruding objectionally therefrom when the wheels are in inoperative position and the bag is conditioned for storage or carrying; and which further weighs appreciably less than the usual combination bag-cart or separate carrier cart and bag combined, and occupies far less room.

A still further object of the invention isthe provision of a longitudinally hinged golf club bag including a pair of wheels adjacent the bottom thereof, said wheels being so adjustably mounted as to be swingable to an operative position when the bag is unfolded, and positionable relatively close together in the bag when not in use, allowing compact folding of the bag to closed position while occupying a compartment which is generally the unused space which the club heads overlie.

A still (further object of this invention is to provide an improved bag-cart having inherent stability whether its wheels are in operative or inoperative positions, said wheels always being adjacent thebottom of the device to compensate for the weight of the club heads protruding from the top of the bag-cart, thereby giving better weight distribution and a lower center of gravity to the entire device. Additionally, the device requires far less pulling or pushing effort, since less weight need be supported at the handle as the cart is wheeled over the golf course. p

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a rugged. but light weight hinged tframe adapted to carry a folding club receptacle or bag; retractable wheels and wheel brackets attached to the frame adjacent the bottom thereof; releasable members to hold the wheels in operative position; a handle pivoted to the frame and having rapid positive positioning means for use, said handle being releasable for folding and said wheels retractable so that both may be co-extensive with the frame and bag to permit folding thereof for carrying and storage. The club bag, moreover, may either be permanently attached to the frame 'or may be removably attached thereon to facilitate ease of cleaning, repairing, or replacement.

And, another general object of the invention is to pro- -vide a golf equipment carrier which is simple in design,

has a light weight construction, yet is sturdy and reliable in use, and gives the appearance and service of a superior piece of equipment at all times.

All of the objects, features, and advantages of the invention, and details of illustrative embodiments thereof, will be better understood from the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the subject invention Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the handle catch and release mechanism;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 in Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken at the elevation of lines 6-6 in Figure 4, but with the carrier folded as shown in Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view similar 'to that 'shown in Figure l, but showing a modification-of the invention; and

Figure 10 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 9 with an additional slight modification.

Briefly, and referring to Figure l, the invention embodies a longitudinally hinged frame assembly A; a twosection receptacle -or clubbag B mountable on the frame assembly and foldable therewith; a handle assembly C mounted on the frame and pivotal to within the confines of the frame and bag assembly; and a pair of wheel assemblies D retractable to within a housing formed by the frame and bag assemblies. In open and operative position the deviceholds the golf clubs in an approximate line to allow convenient selection thereof, with the frame, bag, and wheels providing a solid foundation to holdthe clubs in upright position without danger of tilting and falling over. With the handle and wheels retracted, and the frame folded to closed position the invention looks like a conventional club bag, as seen in Figure 2.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the frame assembly A, which is preferably made of aluminum or alloys thereof for lightness, includes a central structural member of channel shape, and a pair of opposite but similar structural members 16 and 17 of generally angle shape. Each of the members 16 and 17 is respectively spaced from a leg 18-18 of member 15 by cross members 19-19 and by stiffening members 20-20. Each cross member 19-19, in turn, is pivotally attached to one of the channelle'gs by a hinge Zia-21a, while each stiffener also is similarly-pivotally attached to a channel leg by a hinge 21-21. The entire structure forms a hinged frame of rectangular shape for mounting of the golf club bag thereto.

The golf bag structure comprises a pair of compartments 22 and 23, each'of which is attached to the frame by suitable means, such as by rivets 24. Reinforcement collars 25 and 26 are provided adjacent the top of compartments 22 and 23, respectively, to prevent wear due to repetitive insertion and removal of the club shafts from the mouths of the compartments. The collars, which are preferably made of leather, further serve as cross pieces to stiffen the frame assembly adjacent the top, being attached to the angle members 16 and 17 by said rivets 24 and to the respective legs 18-18 of channel 15 by hinges 27-27. At'the bottom of the compartments, heels 28-2 8, also preferably made of leather, are provided across the compartment front to resist the normal wear at these points.

Theclub compartments maybe constructed of any of the suitable flexible materials generally used for golf club bags such as canvas fabrics, leather, or plastic. It will be noted that, since the bag structure is rigidly supported by the frame assembly, stilfening members are not essential to hold the bag upright; although, they may be employed to maintain the shape of the club receptacles. Zipper pockets 29 and 30 are provided at the front or outer side of each compartment for holding golf balls and tees, clothing such as sweaters and gloves, or other golf accessories. The pockets, as seen in Figures 2 and 3, are accessible at all times. Figure 2, is provided to cover the projecting heads of the golf clubs when such is desired.

The handle assembly, as seen in Figures 3 to 5, compri'sesa bar '32 pivotally attached atone end to channel member 15 'by'rneans'of'a pin 33 extending between legs A hood 31, shown folded in 4 18-18, and having at its other end a hand grip 34. A

eam plate 35 is provided on channel member 15 and adjacent pin 33 for operatively positioning the handle. A catch 36, having a latch stud 37, is pivotally attached to bar 32 by a pin 38 for cooperation with the cam plate 35. A spring 39, anchored about pin 38, releasably maintains catch 36 in such position as to have stud 37 normally in contact with the cam face 40 of plate 35.

With this arrangement, as bar 32 is swung upwardly from its position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5, stud 37 rides along cam face 40 until it reaches a notch 41. Thereafter stud 37 is urged into the notch by the action of spring 39 to maintain the handle in operative position. To lower the handle, a release button 42 s provided on catch 36. As the button is pushed upwardly, it rotates stud 37 clockwise around pin 33, as viewed in Figure 5, and out of notch 41. Button 42 is held a sufficient time while bar 32 is lowered to allow stud 37 to clear notch 41.

The running gear structure, as best seen in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 6, comprises a pair ofbracke'ts, 43-43, each of which is pivotally attached to one of the angle members 16 or 17 by a hinge 44. Each bracket further comprises a skirt 45 having downwardly depending portions 46-46 forming standards for the axle 47 of a wheel 48. To facilitate ease of propelling the device over a golf course, the wheels are made sufficiently large in diameter as to be able to roll over most obstacles commonly encountered. The wheel apparatus, when folded into the housing 49 formed by the frame structure and compartments lie adjacent and substantially parallel to the respective cross member 19 thereat. A small portion of the front leg of the angle member 16 or 17 adjacent to the member 19 is cut away so as to allow the wheel and its bracket to lie as snugly within the housing as possible, as illustrated by the wheel on the left in Figure 6.

The wheels when swung from the housing are maintained in operative position by struts 50-50 which are rotatably attached at one end 51 to a bracket 52 on channel member 15. Each strut has a tip 53 adapted to snap into a mating aperture 54 provided at the top of a respective skirt to thereby hold the wheels in operative position, as shown by the right hand wheel in Figure 6. To release a wheel all that need be done is to remove the strut tip from its cooperating aperture, swinging the strut upwardly and out of radius of rotation of the Wheel, which then may be swung into its housing 49.

Briefly the use of the improved golf equipment carrier is as follows: When being transported to and from the golf course, it may be carried by a handle 55 suitably attached to the front face of structural member 15. Suitable means of conventional form, such as cooperating clasp 56 and eyes 5'7 (Figures 1 and 3), are provided for retaining the bag in closed condition. Also. a conventional shoulder strap may be provided for carryingpurposes. Upon arrival at the golf course, the bag is unfolded merely by releasing the clasps $6 and swinging the frame to the position shown in Figure 4. Thereafter, the handle is lifted to operative position and the wheels 48 swung into place where they are held by engaging the struts in the proper skirt aperture 54. If at any time the golf course terrain becomes too rough for wheeling of the clubs thereover, the bag is quickly and easily conditioned for carrying by following the reverse procedure. it will be noted that'in closed position, both the cart handle and the wheel assemblies are completely enclosed by the bag structure so that no annoying protrusions are present tointerfere with carrying of the club bag. This feature further facilitates storage of the device which in closed condition thus looks like, and takes up no more room than, a conventional golf club bag.

It will be further seen that by providing the Wheel structure and most of the frame weight adjacent to the bottom of the device, the weight of the club heads protruding from the mouths of the compartments is compensated for sufficiently so as to prevent tipping over of the club bag. In experimental use, this has been found true even when the bag is in the closed position shown in Figure 2.

Figures 9 and 10 are fragmentary views of a modification of the invention, wherein the club compartments are removably attached to the frame structure. In this construction, a cross member 58 joins the outer structural member 16 or 17 to the channel member 15, said cross member being attached thereto by a hinge 27. Hooks 59 are provided along member 58 for cooperation with eyes 60 adjacent the top of the respective bag compartment 22A for the support thereof. At the bottom of the frame a fork structure 61 is provided to support each compartment, assuring that the bottom thereof is not dragged along the ground. Hooks 59 are also provided at the fork to hold the bag thereto. The advantage of such construction is immediately evident, since the bag structure will experience wear and tear, or need cleaning during ordinary use. This construction allows the compartments to be easily removed from the frame for replacement and repair, thereby eliminating the larger expense of having to replace or repair the entire device when such is actually not necessary.

Figure 10 also shows another slight modification wherein the club compartments are joined at their hinged ends by an accordioned or elastic piece 62 extending longitudinally along the compartment edges so as to present a continuous bag surface. This further protects channel member 15, while concealing all evidence that there is a frame structure present in the club carrier.

Although what has been shown and described is a preferred embodiment of the invention, With suggestions made for various modifications thereof, it is to be understood that these are not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting the invention, but instead are given for the purpose of illustration so that the invention may be understood, and that others skilled in the art may be enabled to modify and adapt it in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A combination foldable golf club bag and cart, comprising: a hinged frame including a center post, a pair of end structures pivotally mounted to said center post, each of said end structures comprising an end post, and cross-bracing members, said cross-bracing members being pivotally mounted to said center post, affixed to said end post, and cooperable with portions of said center post and said end post to provide a housing; a pair of brackets, each having a wheel rotatably mounted therein and adapted to be disposed in a housing when said frame is pivoted to folded condition, each bracket further being pivoted to an end post and arranged to swing said wheel to ground engaging position; a pair of struts, each pivotally mounted to said center post and engageable with a bracket for releasably retaining the wheel carried thereby in ground engaging position; a handle member pivoted to said center post; latch means for releasably retaining said handle member in extended position; a pair of elongated golf club compartments, each mounted to one of said end structures; and means carried by said compartments whereby said frame is retained in said folded condition.

2. A combination foldable golf club bag and cart, comprising: a pair of club carrying sections having reinforcement heels at the bottom ends thereof and reinforcement collars at the top ends thereof; a two-leaf foldable frame for the support of said sections, including a center post and a pair of end structures, each of said end structures including an end post, cross-bracing members, and hinges for pivotally connecting said structures to said center post, said cross-bracing members being cooperable with portions of said center post and said end post to form a housing; a pair of wheels; a pair of wheel brackets, each having a wheel mounted thereon; a pair of pivotal means,

one for each bracket for the mounting thereof to a respective one of said structures, adapted to retract the brackets into the housings provided by the structures whereto the brackets are mounted, and arranged to swing the brackets outwardly and allow said wheels to be axially aligned and in ground engaging position; frame mounted means engageable with said brackets for the retention thereof in wheel ground engaging position; a handle pivotally connected with said center post; a latch plate connected with said center post adjacent the handle pivot and a notch; spring urged latch means carried by said handle, arranged to ride over the face of said latch plate as said handle is pivoted, and adapted to enter said notch to retain said handle in extended position; means for mounting said sections one to each of said structures, and cooperable means carried by said sections for retaining said frame in folded condition.

3. The device as recited in claim 2 wherein said section mounting means comprises a pair of fork structures whereon the heels of said section may rest, each fork structure being mounted at the bottom of a respective one of said end structures; and hooks adjacent the top of each structure and cooperable with the collars to hold said sections in position.

4. A foldable frame and cart for use with a pair of elongated golf club compartments, comprising: a center post; a pair of substantially fiat frame structures, each structure including an end post, and cross-bracing members, said cross-bracing members being afiixed to said end post, pivotally mounted to said center post, and cooperable with portions of said center post and said end post to form a housing adjacent the structure bottom; a pair of wheels; a pair of brackets, each holding one of said wheels rotatably mounted thereon and pivotally connected to one of said housings, adapted to lie within the confines of the housing whereto it is pivoted when in inoperative position, and arranged to move out of said housing to allow its wheel to assume a ground engaging position; means engageable with each bracket whereby the brackets are releasably retained in operative position; a handle pivotally mounted to said center post; and a latch engageable with said handle to releasably retain the handle in extended operative position.

5. A combination foldable golf club bag and cart, comprising: a center post; a pair of substantially flat frame structures, each including an end post, a crossbracing member, and hinges whereby the structures are pivotally mounted to opposed sides of said center post; a pair of axially alignable wheels; a pair of brackets, each containing one of 'said wheels rotatably mounted thereon, and pivotally connected to a respective one of said structures adjacent the lower end thereof, each of said brackets when in inoperative position being adapted to lie substantially within the confines of the structure whereto it is connected and further being arranged to move rearwardly of its structure to allow its wheel to assume a ground engaging position; means mounted on said center post and engageable with each bracket whereby the brackets are releasably retained in operative position and said structures are maintained rigid when in unfolded condition; a handle pivotally connected with said center post; and a pair of elongated club compartments, each connected to the front of a respective one of said structures, whereby upon said handle and said brackets being positioned in inoperative positions, said structures are foldable to allow said compartments to present the appearance of a conventional golf club bag.

6. A combination foldable golf club bag and cart, comprising: a center post, a pair of substantially flat structures pivotally connected thereto, each structure providing a housing adjacent the bottom thereof, wheel means pivotally connected to each structure, adapted to be disposed in the housing provided thereby, and arranged to swing outwardly and rearwardly of the structure whereto its is connected so as to be in ground engaging position, latch means connecting to said center ,post and engageable with said wheel means for maintaining said structures and said wheel means rigid when said structures are in unfolded condition and said wheel means are in ground engaging position, a handle bar pivoted to said center post and arranged to extend rearwardly therefrom, a latch plate connected to said center post adjacent to the pivot of said handle bar, said latch plate having a notch, a spring urged latch arranged to travel over the face of said latch plate as said handle is pivoted and adapted to enter said notch to releasably retain said handle bar in extended position, and a pair of elongated club compartments, each approximating the length of said structures and mounted to the front of a respective one thereof, whereby said compartments cover said wheel means, said handle bar, and said structures when said wheel means are positioned in thehousings, said handle is in retracted position, and said structures are in folded condition.

7. A combination golf club bag and cart, comprising: a pair of elongated golf club compartments; a frame for mounting said compartments, said frame including a center post, a pair of wing structures, each of said structures being pivoted to one of opposed sides of said center post, adapted to mount one of said compartments thereon, and having spaced cross-bracing members adjacent its lower end and arranged to provide a housing; a pair of brackets, each of said brackets having a wheel rotatably mounted thereon and adapted to be disposed in a housing when said frame is in folded condition, each bracket further being pivoted to a wing structure and arranged to swing said wheel from the inner face thereof to ground engaging position; and a pair of struts pivoted to said center post and engageable with said brackets for maintaining the wheels thereon in ground engaging position and said frame rigid when said frame is in unfolded condition.

'8, -A combination of golf club bag and cart, comprising: a hinged frame including a center post, a pair of end structures pivotally mounted to opposed sides of said center post, each of said structures comprising an end post, and cross-bracing members, said cross-bracing members being affixed to said end post, and arranged with said center post and said end post to provide a housing; a pair of brackets, each having a wheel rotatably mounted thereon and adapted to be disposed in a housing when said frame is pivoted to folded condition, each bracket further being pivoted to an end structure and arranged to swing said wheel to ground engaging position; latch-means for each each bracket whereby each wheel is releasably retained in ground engaging position; a handle pivotally connected with said center post; latch means for releasably retaining said handle in operative position; a pair of golf club compartments, each mounted to one of said endstructures; and cooperable means associated with said structures for retaining said frame in folded condition.

9. A combination golf club bag and cart, comprising: a center post; a pair of elongated golf club compartments pivotally mounted one at each of opposed sides of said post; a pair of wheel housings, one mounted to each of said compartments adjacent the bottom portion thereof, a pair of brackets, each having a wheel rotatably mounted thereon and adapted to be disposed when in inoperative position in one of said housings, each bracket further being pivoted to its respective housing and arranged to swing its wheel to ground engaging position; a pair of struts pivoted to said center post and engageable with said brackets for maintaining the wheels thereon in ground engaging position and said compartments rigid when said compartments are in unfolded condition; a handle pivotally connected with said center post; latch means to releasably maintain said handle in operati-ve condition; andcooper'ablemeans associated with said compartments to maintain the same in 'folded condition.

-10. A combination fo'ldable golf club bag and cart, comprising: a pair of elongated flexible golf club compartments; a'main frame including a pair of wing structures attached for pivotal movement with respect to each other from a folded'condition through an angle approxinating one-hundred-eighty degrees to an open condition whereat the structure inner faces are contiguous; means for mounting said compartments one to the outer face of each structure whereby said compartments substantially envelop said structureswhen the same are in folded condition; a housing adjacent the bottom of each structure and having associated therewith a wheel bracket with a wheel rotatably mounted thereon; means whereby said bracket is disposable in said housing when said structures are in folded condition and pivotal from said housing to an operative position whereat said wheel is readied for ground engagement when said structures are in open condition; and latch means for said bracket whereby the wheel thereon is releasably retained in ground engaging position.

11. A combination foldable golf club bag and cart, comprising: a foldable rigid skeleton including a pair of substantially fiat elongated frame structures, said structures including end posts, spaced cross-bracing members adjacent their lower ends arranged to provide housings, and means whereby said structures are attached for pivotal movement with respect to each other; a pair of brackets, each adjacent the lower end of a respective one of said framed structures and having a wheel rotatably mounted thereon; means whereby each bracket and its wheel are disposable in a respective one of said housings when said frame structures are in folded condition and are swingable to wheel ground engaging position when said frame structures are in unfolded condition; latch means for each bracket whereby the wheel mounted thereon is retaina-ble in ground engaging position; and a pair of elongated flexible club compartments, each mounted to a respective one of said frame structures, whereby sai-d compartments substantially cover said frame structures, said brackets and said wheels when said frame structures are in folded condition.

12. A combination foldable golf club bag and cart, comprising: a foldable skeletonincluding a pair of frame structures, said frame structures including upstanding posts, cross-bracingrnembers arranged to provide housings adjacent the lower ends of the frame structures, and means mounting the frame structures for pivotal movement with respect to each other; a pair of brackets, each. of said brackets having a wheel rotatably mounted thereon and further being adapted for disposition in a respective one of said housings when said skeleton is in folded condition and for swinging its wheel from said housing to ground engaging position when said skeleton is in unfolded condition; latch means for each bracket whereby the wheel-mounted thereon is releasably retained in ground engaging position; and a pair of golf club compartments, each carried by a respective one of said frame structures, said compartments being arranged to substantially cover said frame structures, said brackets and said wheels when said skeleton is in folded condition to thereby present the appearance of a conventional golf club bag.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,409,838 Emery et al Mar. 14, 1922 1,637,538 Sampson Aug. 2, 1927 2,047,079 MacMurray July 7, 1936 2,070,254 Burgner Feb. 9, 1937 2,428,954 Apblett et al Oct. 14, 1947 2,726,874 Sullivan Dec. 13, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 169,326 GreatBritain Sept. 29, 1921 

